About

”A mosque is the best of places.
It is more blessed and virtuous
than all other places.”

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“The most beloved of places to Allah is the mosque, and the most detested of places to Allah is the marketplace.” [Sahîh Muslim]

There is great reward in building a mosque for Allah’s sake.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Whoever builds a mosque for Allah, Allah will build for him likewise in Paradise.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî and Sahîh Muslim]

In some narrations of this hadith, it reads “Whoever builds a mosque seeking Allah’s pleasure…”

It is also narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Whoever build a mosque for Allah – be it large or small – Allah will build for him a house in Paradise.” [Sunan al-Tirmidhî – and graded as good (hasan) by al-Albânî]

In a narration in Musnad al-Bazzâr that al-Albânî graded as authentic, it reads:

“Whoever builds a mosque for Allah –
though it be the size of the ground nest of a sandgrouse – Allah will
build for him a house in Paradise.”

The building of a mosque is a way for a person to continue to earn blessings after death.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Among what
continues to accrue for a believer of his good works after death are the
following: knowledge that he learned and then imparted to others, a
pious child whom he left behind, a copy of the Qur’ân that he
bequeathed, a mosque that he built, a guest house he built for
travelers, a river that he made to flow, and charity he spends from his
wealth when he is in good health – all of this continues to avail him
after his death.” [Sunan Ibn Majah and Sunan al-Bayhaqî – and graded as good (hasan) by al-Albânî]

Al-Shawkânî comments on this hadîth in
Nayl al-Awtâr (2/213), saying: “This shows that the blessings which are
mentioned are for the actual construction of a mosque. It is not enough
to designate land as a mosque – or to demarcate the land in some way –
without building a structure on it.”

And Allah knows best.

The virtue of cleaning the mosque

What rewared will you et if you clean & prayer in a mosque And look after it also look help the Iman thank you.

Praise be to Allaah.

Taking care of the mosques and tidying
the furniture etc inside them is something that is praiseworthy and
encouraged. The one who does that will be rewarded by Allaah for this
good deed.

Allaah has commanded us to venerate the mosques as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

“In houses (mosques) which Allaah has
ordered to be raised (to be cleaned, and to be honoured), in them His
Name is remembered [i.e. Adhaan, Iqaamah, Salaah (prayers), invocations,
recitation of the Qur’aan].

Therein glorify Him (Allaah) in the mornings and in the afternoons or the evenings,

They fear a Day when hearts and eyes will
be overturned (out of the horror of the torment of the Day of
Resurrection)” [al-Noor 24:36-37]

al-Suyooti said: In this verse there is
the command to venerate the mosques and cleanse them of idle talk and
impure things. From Tafseer al-Qaasimi, 12/214

Another sign that points to the virtue of
the one who takes care of that is the report in al-Saheehayn from the
hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah, that a black man or a black woman used to take
care of the mosque, then he or she died.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) asked after him (or her) and was told that he had
died. He said: “Why did you not inform me? Show me his grave (or her
grave).” Then he went to the grave and offered the funeral prayer over
it.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 458; Muslim, 956.

And it was narrated by Abu Dawood (455), al-Tirmidhi (594) and Ibn Maajah (759) that ‘Aa’ishah said:

The Messenger of Allaah (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) commanded that mosques be built among
houses and that they be cleaned and perfumed.” Classed as saheeh by
al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, no. 487.

What is meant by “among houses” is in neighbourhoods and among tribes.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) regarded spitting in the mosque as a sin and said
that the expiation for that was burying it. In al-Saheehayn it is
narrated that Anas said:

The Messenger of Allaah (S) said:
“Spitting in the mosque is a sin and its expiation is burying it.”
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 415; Muslim, 552.

Al-Nasaa’i (728) and Ibn Maajah (762)
narrated from Anas that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) saw some sputum in the qiblah of the mosque and he got so
angry that his face turned red.

Then a woman from among the Ansaar came
and scratched it and put some perfume in that place. The Messenger of
Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “What a good
deed this is.” This hadeeth was classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in
Saheeh al-Nasaa’i and Saheeh Ibn Maajah.

And it was proven that the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) removed that himself as was
narrated in al-Saheehayn where it says that ‘Aa’ishah said: “He saw some
sputum on the wall of the mosque and scratched it off.” Narrated by
al-Bukhaari, 407; Muslim, 549.

And there are da’eef ahaadeeth narrated
concerning that which we will quote here only in order to explain that
they are weak. In the saheeh reports from the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) there is sufficient evidence that we
have no need of the weak reports.

Abu Dawood (461) and al-Tirmidhi (2916)
narrated the hadeeth, “I was shown the rewards of my ummah for different
deeds, even a speck of dirt that someone removes from the mosque.” This
hadeeth was classed as da’eef by al-Albaani in Da’eef al-Tirmidhi.

Ibn Maajah (757) narrated a hadeeth,
“Whoever removes anything harmful from the mosque, Allaah will build for
him a house in Paradise.” This hadeeth was classed as da’eef by
al-Albaani in Da’eef ibn Maajah.

With regard to looking after the imam, Imam Muslim said in the introduction to his Saheeh:

“The man of high status should be given
the respect to which he is entitled, and the one who has a low level of
knowledge should not be elevated above his status. Every person should
be given his due (of respect) and should be honoured in accordance with
his status. It was narrated from ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with
her) that she said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) commanded us to give people due respect.”

If the imam is a person of virtue,
knowledge and righteousness, then love for him comes under the heading
of loving and respecting the righteous. This is a righteous deed.

But it should be noted that the matter
should not be allowed to go to the extreme of seeking blessing (barakah)
from the imam or touching him (for the purpose of seeking blessing) as
some people do, for this is not part of the teaching of the earliest
Muslims, either their imams or their scholars.

And Allaah knows best.

Source:Islamqa.info

Whoever Build a Mosque for the Sake of Allah. Allah will Build for him in Paradise One Like That

Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta ‘ala) says:

IN HOUSES
(MOSQUES), WHICH ALLAH HAS ORDERED TO BE RAISED (TO BE CLEANED, AND TO
BE HONOURED), IN THEM HIS NAME IS REMEMBERED [I.E. ADHAN, IQAMAH, SALAT
(PRAYERS), INVOCATIONS, RECITATION OF THE QUR’AN ETC.]. THEREFORE
GLORIFY HIM (ALLAH) IN THE MORNINGS AND IN THE AFTERNOONS OR THE
EVENINGS {An-Nur 24:36}

‘A’ishah (Radi-Allahu ‘Anha) said:

“THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH COMMANDED US TO BUILD MASJIDS AMONG THE HOUSES, AND TO CLEAN THEM AND PERFUME THEM.” [Ahmad & Sunan]

`Umar (Radi-Allahu ‘Anhu) said:

“BUILD FOR THE PEOPLE A PLACE TO WORSHIP
ALLAH, AND BEWARE OF USING RED OR YELLOW FOR ADORNMENT AND DECORATION
AND DISTRACTING THE PEOPLE THEREBY.” [Bukhari]

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“THERE ARE SEVEN WHOM ALLAH WILL SHADE IN HIS SHADE ON THE DAY WHEN THERE IS NO SHADE EXCEPT HIS SHADE.

1. A JUST RULER;
2. A YOUTH WHO GREW UP IN THE WORSHIP OF ALLAH, THE MIGHTY AND MAJESTIC;
3. A MAN WHOSE HEART IS ATTACHED TO THE MOSQUES,
4. TWO MEN WHO LOVE EACH OTHER FOR ALLAH’S SAKE, MEETING FOR THAT AND PARTING UPON THAT.
5. A MAN WHO IS CALLED BY A WOMAN OF BEAUTY AND POSITION, BUT HE SAYS: ‘I FEAR ALLAH’;
6. A MAN WHO GIVES IN CHARITY AND HIDES IT, SUCH THAT HIS LEFT HAND DOES NOT KNOW WHAT HIS RIGHT HAND GIVES IN CHARITY;
7. AND A MAN WHO REMEMBERED ALLAH IN PRIVATE SO HIS EYES SHED TEARS.” [Bukhari & Muslim]

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“WHEN YOU PASS BY THE GARDENS OF JANNAT
THEN EAT FROM ITS FRUIT. IT WAS ASKED YA RASULULLAH WHAT ARE THE GARDENS
OF JANNAT? HE REPLIED THE ‘MASJID’. THEN IT WAS ASKED YA RASULULLAH
WHAT IS MEANT BY EATING ITS FRUIT? HE REPLIED ‘TO READ KALIMA
(SUBAHANALLAHI WALHAMDULILLAHI WA LA ILAHA ILLALLAHU WALLAAHU AKBAR).
[Tirmidhi]

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“WHEN YOU BEGIN TO ADORN YOUR MASJID
(WITH SUCH BEAUTIFICATIONS THAT INTERFERE IN SALAH), AND WHEN YOU ADORN
THE QURAN’S IN SUCH A WAY (THAT IT IS A DISTURBANCE IN THE HEART) THEN
KNOW THAT THIS IS YOUR TIME OF DESTRUCTION.”

Ibn Abbas (Radi-Allahu ‘Anhu) says that,

“EXCESSIVE DECORATION OF THE MASJID IS A CUSTOM OF THE JEWS AND CHRISTIANS. AND IT IS A TONE OF GRIEF HE PREDICTED” [Abu Dawud]

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“I WAS NOT ORDERED TO RENOVATE THE MOSQUE” [Abu Dawud]

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“WHOEVER BUILDS A MOSQUE FOR THE SAKE OF ALLAH, ALLAH WILL BUILD FOR HIM IN PARADISE ONE LIKE THAT.” [Muslim]

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“THE MOST BELOVED PLACES TO ALLAH ARE THE MOSQUES AND THE MOST HATED PLACES TO ALLAH ARE THE MARKET PLACES.” [Muslim]

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“ALLAH WILL PREPARE FOR HIM WHO GOES TO
THE MOSQUE (EVERY) MORNING AND AFTERNOON (FOR THE CONGREGATIONAL SALAH)
AN HONOURABLE PLACE IN

PARADISE WITH GOOD HOSPITALITY FOR HIS GOING (TO THE MOSQUE) EVERY MORNING AND AFTERNOON.” [Bukhari]

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“HE WHO PURIFIES HIMSELF (PERFORMS WUDU)
IN HIS HOUSE AND THEN WALKS TO ONE OF THE HOUSES OF ALLAH (MOSQUE) FOR
PERFORMING AN OBLIGATORY ACT (I.E. TO PERFORM SALAH), ONE STEP OF HIS
WILL WIPE OUT HIS SINS AND ANOTHER STEP WILL EXALT HIM IN STATUS (IN
PARADISE).” [Muslim]

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“THE PERSON WHO WILL RECEIVE THE HIGHEST
REWARD FOR THE SALAH IS THE ONE WHO COMES TO PERFORM IT IN THE MOSQUE
FROM THE FARTHEST DISTANCE. AND HE WHO WAITS TO PERFORM THE SALAH WITH
THE IMAM (IN CONGREGATION) WILL HAVE A GREATER REWARD THAN THE ONE WHO
PERFORMS IT ALONE AND THEN GOES TO SLEEP.” [Muslim]

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“CONVEY GLAD TIDINGS TO THOSE WHO WALK TO
THE MOSQUE IN THE DARKNESS. FOR THEY WILL BE GIVEN FULL LIGHT ON THE
DAY OF RESURRECTION.” [Abu Dawud]

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“SHALL I GUIDE YOU TO THAT BY WHICH ALLAH OBLITERATES THE SINS AND ELEVATES THE RANKS (OF A MUSLIM)?”

THE COMPANION SAID” CERTAINLY, O MESSENGER OF ALLAH.”

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“(IT IS) PERFORMING WUDU’ COMPLETELY
DESPITE DISCOMFORT, WALKING A LONG WAY TO MOSQUES AND WAITING FOR THE
NEXT SALAH AFTER PERFORMING A SALAH. AND THAT IS THE RIBAT (REMAINING ON
GUARD IN THE FRONTIER FACING THE ENEMY) FOR YOU.” [Muslim]

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“THERE ARE SIX SITTINGS IN WHICH A PERSON
IS GUARANTEED THE SAFEKEEPING OF ALLAH, THE MOST HIGH, AS LONG AS HE IS
IN ONE OF THEM: IN A CONGREGATIONAL MOSQUE; WITH A SICK PERSON; AT A
FUNERAL; IN HIS HOUSE; WITH A JUST RULER WHOM HE SUPPORTS AND TREATS
WITH RESPECT; OR AT A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE ARE FIGHTING JIHAD.”
[At-Tabarani & Bazzaar]

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“ONE SALAH IN MASJID-UL-HARAM IS MORE MERITORIOUS THAN A HUNDRED THOUSAND PRAYERS IN ANY OTHER MOSQUE.” [Ibn Majah]

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“ONE SALAH IN IT (THE PROPHET’S MOSQUE)
IS BETTER THAN ONE THOUSAND PRAYERS PERFORMED IN ANY OTHER MOSQUE EXCEPT
IN THE MASJID-UL-HARAM.” [Muslim]

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“O PEOPLE! PERFORM YOUR (VOLUNTARY) SALAH
IN YOUR HOMES BECAUSE THE BEST SALAH OF A MAN IS THE ONE HE PERFORMS AT
HOME, EXCEPT THE OBLIGATORY SALAH.” [Bukhari]

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“YOU SHOULD OBSERVE PART OF THE VOLUNTARY SALAH IN YOUR HOMES. DO NOT TURN YOUR HOMES INTO GRAVES.”[Muslim]

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“IF ANYONE OF YOU ENTERS A MOSQUE, HE SHOULD PRAY TWO RAK’AHS BEFORE SITTING.” [Bukhari]

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“SPITTING IN THE MOSQUE IS A SIN AND ITS EXPIATION IS TO BURY IT.” [Bukhari]

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“HE WHO EATS GARLIC OR ONIONS SHOULD KEEP AWAY FROM US (OR, KEEP AWAY FROM OUR MOSQUE). LET HIM STAY AT HOME.” [Muslim]

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“IF YOU SEE SOMEONE BUYING OR SELLING INSIDE THE MOSQUE, SAY: ‘MAY ALLAH NOT MAKE YOUR TRADING PROFITABLE!” [Tirmidhi]

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“HE WHO HEARS A MAN ASKING PEOPLE IN THE
MOSQUE ABOUT HIS LOST ITEM, SAY TO HIM, ‘MAY ALLAH NEVER HELP YOU
RECOVER IT!’ MOSQUES ARE NOT BUILT FOR THIS PURPOSE.” [Muslim]

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“THE ANGELS INVOKE BLESSINGS ON EVERYONE
AMONG YOU SO LONG AS HE REMAINS SEATED IN THE PLACE WHERE HE HAS
PERFORMED SALAH AND WITHOUT BREAKING HIS WUDU. THEY (THE ANGELS) SAY: O
ALLAH! PARDON HIM. O ALLAH! HAVE MERCY ON THEM.” [Bukhari]

EXCELLENCE OF MOSQUE, DEFINITION OF MOSQUE:

Mosque literally means ‘a place for
self-prostration, that is, a place formally designated for the saying of
prayers. The mosque is a house of God-fearing people.

”In houses
(Mosques), which Allah has ordered to be raised (to be cleaned, and to
be honoured), in them His name is remembered [i.e. Adhan, Iqamah, Salat
(prayers), invocations, recitation of the Qur’an etc.]. Therefore
glorify Him (Allah) in the mornings and in the afternoons or the
evenings.” [An-Nur 24:36]

Having likened the heart of the believer
and what it contains of guidance and knowledge to a lamp lit with good
oil shining in a clear glass, Allah then states where it belongs, which
is in the Masjids, the places on earth that are most beloved to Allah.
The Masjids are His houses where He Alone is worshipped.

So Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta ‘ala) says:

﴾ فِى بُيُوتٍ أَذِنَ اللهُ أَن تُرْفَعَ ﴿

In houses which Allah has ordered to be raised

The ‘houses’ are those Mosque that were
dedicated to the worship of Allah. And verily, the Mosque light up the
earth for the inhabitants of the heavens, just as stars light up the
heavens for the inhabitants of the earth.

`A’ishah (Radi-Allahu ‘Anha) said:

“The Messenger of Allah commanded us to build Masjids among the houses, and to clean them and perfume them.” [Ahmad & Sunan]
`Umar (Radi-Allahu ‘Anhu) said:

“Build for the people a place to worship
Allah, and beware of using red or yellow for adornment and decoration
and distracting the people thereby.” [Bukhari]

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

«لَا تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ حَتَّى يَتَبَاهَى النَّاسُ فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ»

“The Hour will not come until people show off in building Masjids.”[Ahmad & Sunan]

Buraydah narrated that a man called out in the Masjid and said,

“Has any body said anything about a red camel”

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

«لَا، وَجَدْتَ، إِنَّمَا بُنِيَتِ الْمَسَاجِدُ لِمَا بُنِيَتْ لَهُ»

“May you never find it! The Masjids were built only for what they were built for.” [Muslim]

Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta ‘ala) says:

﴾ وَيُذْكَرَ فِيهَا اسْمُهُ ﴿

In them His Name is remembered

Meaning, the Name of Allah. This is like the Ayah:

﴾ يَـبَنِى ءَادَمَ خُذُواْ زِينَتَكُمْ عِندَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍ ﴿

”O Children of Adam! Take your adornment to every Masjid…” [Al-A’raf 7:31]

”And you should face (Him only) in each and every Masjid, and invoke Him only making your religion sincere to Him.” [Al-A’raf 7:29]

﴾ وَأَنَّ الْمَسَـجِدَ لِلَّهِ ﴿

And the Masjids are for Allah. [Al-Jinn 72:18.]

﴾ وَيُذْكَرَ فِيهَا اسْمُهُ ﴿

In them His Name is remembered

Ibn `Abbas (Radi-Allahu ‘Anhu) said, “This means that His Book is recited therein.”

﴾ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ فِيهَا بِالْغُدُوِّ وَالاٌّصَالِ ﴿

Therein glorify Him in the mornings and in the evenings

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“There are
seven whom Allah will shade in His shade on the Day when there is no
shade except His shade. A just ruler; a youth who grew up in the worship
of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic; a man whose heart is attached to the
mosques, two men who love each other for Allah’s sake, meeting for that
and parting upon that; a man who is called by a woman of beauty and
position, but he says: ‘I fear Allah’; a man who gives in charity and
hides it, such that his left hand does not know what his right hand
gives in charity; and a man who remembered Allah in private so his eyes
shed tears.” [Bukhari & Muslim]

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“When you pass by the gardens of Jannat
then eat from its fruit. It was asked ya Rasulullah what are the gardens
of Jannat? He replied the ‘Masjid’. Then it was asked ya Rasulullah
what is meant by eating its fruit? He replied ‘to read Kalima
(Subahanallahi Walhamdulillahi Wa La Ilaha Illallahu Wallaahu Akbar).
[Tirmidhi]

”The mosques
of Allah shall be maintained only by those who believe in Allah and the
Last Day, perform As-Salat (Iqamat –as-Salat), and give Zakat and fear
none but Allah. It is they who are on true guidance.” [At-Taubah 9:18]

The pre-occupation with decorating the
mosque and beautifying them endlessly is certainly not the purpose
behind which the mosques are built and nor should it be the sole concern
of the mosque committees. Let us bear in mind the humble construction
of the Prophet’s Mosque.

”The Masjids of Allah shall be maintained only by those who believe in Allah and the Last Day.”

Therefore, Allah testifies to the faith
of those who maintain the Masjids. The Masjids are the Houses of Allah
on the earth. It is a promise from Allah that He is generous to those
who visit Him in the Masjids. Also Masjids should be maintain by those
slave of Allah who singles out Allah (in worship), has faith in the Last
Day and who believes in what Allah has revealed,
Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta ‘ala) says next,

﴿وَأَقَامَ الصَّلَوةَ﴾

Perform the Salah

One of the major acts of worship practiced by the body, establishes the five daily prayers,

﴾ وَءَاتَى الزَّكَوةَ ﴿

And give the Zakah

This is the best act that benefits other people,

﴾ وَلَمْ يَخْشَ إِلاَّ اللهَ ﴿

And fear none but Allah

They fear only Allah, the Exalted, and none else,

﴾ فَعَسَى أُوْلَـئِكَ أَن يَكُونُواْ مِنَ الْمُهْتَدِينَ ﴿

It is they who are on true guidance

It is they who are the successful ones in truth.’

Similarly, Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta ‘ala) says to His Prophet,

﴾ عَسَى أَن يَبْعَثَكَ رَبُّكَ مَقَاماً مَّحْمُودًا ﴿

It may be that your Lord will raise you to Maqam Mahmud. [Al-Isra’ 17:79]

Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta ‘ala) says here,
Your Lord (O Muhammad) shall grant you a station of praise, that is, the
intercession (on the Day of Resurrection).

Abu Hurayrah (Radi-Allahu ‘Anhu) says that,

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“When you begin to adorn your Masjid
(with such beautifications that interfere in Salah), and when you adorn
the Quran’s in such a way (that it is a disturbance in the heart) then
know that this is your time of destruction.”

Ibn Abbas (Radi-Allahu ‘Anhu) says that,

“Excessive decoration of the Masjid is a custom of the Jews and Christians. And it is a tone of grief he predicted” [Abu Dawud]

The Masjid had a great significance in
the life of Muhammad. On immediate arrival in Madinah, he went forth to
locate a suitable location for a Masjid and organized its construction.
It is a sign from him that the Masjid is a vital cornerstone in the
building of any Muslim community and indeed the Islamic State. It is the
responsibility of the mosque committees, the Imams and the local Muslim
community to ensure that the mosques are always a reflection of Islam.

Anas ibn Malik (Radi-Allahu ‘Anhu) related that,

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

‘Whoever Allah loves should love me.
Whoever loves me should love the Sahabah. Whoever loves the Sahabah
should love the Qur’an. Whoever loves the Qur’an should love the
mosques, for they are the courtyards of Allah which were built with the
permission of Allah that they be raised up and He has blessed them what
is in them. Its people are blessed and its people are protected while
they are in their prayers. Allah is seeing to their needs while they are
in their mosques and Allah is before them.”

The Muslim community has a duty to remind
those who run the mosques and the Imams that the mosque should remain a
place where Islam is the reference point and all Islamic affairs are
discussed.

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“I was not ordered to renovate the Mosque” [Abu Dawud]

In the life time of Allah’s Messenger,
the Prophet’s Mosque was built of adobes, its roof was of the leaves of
date-palms and its pillars were of the stems of date-palms.

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“Whoever builds a mosque for the sake of Allah, Allah will build for him in Paradise one like that.” [Muslim]

‘Umar (Radi-Allahu ‘Anhu) extended it on
the same pattern as it was in the lifetime of Allah’s Messenger by using
adobes, leaves of date-palms and changing the pillars into wooden ones.
‘Uthman (Radi-Allahu ‘Anhu) changed it by expanding it to a great
extent and built its walls from engraved stones and lime and made its
pillars of engraved stones and its roof of teak wood.

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“The most beloved places to Allah are the mosques and the most hated places to Allah are the market places.” [Muslim]

EXCELLENCE OF WALKING TOWARDS THE MOSQUE:

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“Allah will prepare for him who goes to
the mosque (every) morning and afternoon (for the congregational Salah)
an honourable place in Paradise with good hospitality for his going (to
the mosque) every morning and afternoon.” [Bukhari]

There was a man of the Ansar whose house was the farthest from the mosque and he never missed the Salah (in congregation).

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“He who purifies himself (performs Wudu)
in his house and then walks to one of the houses of Allah (mosque) for
performing an obligatory act (i.e. to perform Salah), one step of his
will wipe out his sins and another step will exalt him in status (in
Paradise).” [Muslim]

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“The person who will receive the highest
reward for the Salah is the one who comes to perform it in the mosque
from the farthest distance. And he who waits to perform the Salah with
the Imam (in congregation) will have a greater reward than the one who
performs it alone and then goes to sleep.” [Muslim]

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“Convey glad tidings to those who walk to
the mosque in the darkness. For they will be given full light on the
day of Resurrection.” [Abu Dawud]

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“Shall I guide you to that by which Allah obliterates the sins and elevates the ranks (of a Muslim)?”

The companion said” Certainly, O Messenger of Allah.”

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“(It is) performing Wudu’ completely
despite discomfort, walking a long way to mosques and waiting for the
next Salah after performing a Salah. And that is the Ribat (remaining on
guard in the frontier facing the enemy) for you.” [Muslim]

VIRTUES OF SOME MOSQUES:

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“There are six sittings in which a person
is guaranteed the safekeeping of Allah, the Most High, as long as he is
in one of them: In a congregational mosque; with a sick person; at a
funeral; in his house; with a just ruler whom he supports and treats
with respect; or at a place where people are fighting jihad.”
[At-Tabarani & Bazzaar]

“Masjid-ul-Haram” (the Sacred Mosque at
Makkah) was established first on the earth and than the next one was
“Masjid-ul-Aqsa” (in Jerusalem). The time lapse between them was Forty
years.

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“One Salah in Masjid-ul-Haram is more meritorious than a hundred thousand prayers in any other mosque.” [Ibn Majah]

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“One Salah in it (the Prophet’s Mosque)
is better than one thousand prayers performed in any other mosque except
in the Masjid-ul-Haram.” [Muslim]

VIRTUE OF PRAYING VOLUNTARY PRAYERS AT HOME:

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“O people! Perform your (voluntary) Salah
in your homes because the best Salah of a man is the one he performs at
home, except the obligatory Salah.” [Bukhari]

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“You should observe part of the voluntary Salah in your homes. Do not turn your homes into graves.” [Muslim]

TAHIYAT-UL-MASJID

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“If anyone of you enters a mosque, he should pray two Rak’ahs before sitting.” [Bukhari]

SPITTING IN THE MOSQUE:

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“Spitting in the mosque is a sin and its expiation is to bury it.” [Bukhari]

Nowadays, spitting in the Mosque
constitutes a great harm because floors are now carpeted or tiled, and
it is not possible to “bury” the spittle.

PROHIBITION OF EATING ONIONS OR GARLIC BEFORE COMING TO THE MOSQUE:

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“He who eats garlic or onions should keep away from us (or, keep away from our mosque). Let him stay at home.” [Muslim]

PURCHASE & SALE IN MOSQUE:

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“If you see someone buying or selling inside the mosque, say: ‘May Allah not make your trading profitable!” [Tirmidhi]

This means that mosques should not be treated as markets, because it will affect the dignity of the mosque and the Salah.

”And who are
more unjust than those who forbid that Allah‘s Name be mentioned (i.e.
prayers and invocations) in Allah‘s Masjids and strive for their ruin It
was not fitting that such should themselves enter them (Allah‘s
Masjids) except in fear. For them there is disgrace in this world, and
they will have a great torment in the Hereafter.” [Al-Baqarah 2:114]

SEEKING LOST ITEMS IN MOSQUES:

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“He who hears a man asking people in the
mosque about his lost item, say to him, ‘May Allah never help you
recover it!’ Mosques are not built for this purpose.” [Muslim]

EXCELLENCE OF SWEEPING THE MOSQUE:

A black man or a black woman used to
clean (sweep) the mosque and he or she died. The Prophet Muhammad asked
about her (or him). He was told that she (or he) had died. He said:
“Why did you not inform me? Show me his grave (or her grave).”
So he went to her (his) grave and performed her (his) funeral Salah.” [Bukhari]

EXCELLENCE OF WAITING FOR THE SALAH:

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:
“The angels invoke blessings on everyone among you so long as he remains
seated in the place where he has performed Salah and without breaking
his Wudu. They (the angels) say: O Allah! Pardon him. O Allah! Have
mercy on them.” [Bukhari]

WHAT TO SAY ON ENTERING AND COMING OUT OF THE MOSQUE:

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“When one of you enters a mosque, let him say:
“Allahumma iftah lee rahmatika”
“O Allah! Open for me the doors of your Mercy.”

And when he steps out let him say:
“Allahumma inee as aluka min fadlika”
“O Allah! I ask you of your bounty.” [Muslim]

ABOMINATION OF PERFORMING SALAH IN GRAVEYARDS:

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“Perform some of your (voluntary) Salah at home, and do not take your houses as graves”. [Bukhari]

This is because it is impermissible to
pray in graveyards. Therefore, by not praying in your homes, you make it
like a graveyard.

Source: Riffat73.wordpress.com

Virtues of keeping the Masjid clean

It was narrated that ‘Aa’ishah(RA) said:

“The Messenger of Allaah (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) commanded that mosques should be built
among the houses (i.e., in each neighbourhood), and that they should be
cleaned and perfumed.” (narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 594; classed as saheeh
by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb wa’l-Tarheeb, 279).

The Blessed Prophet(sallallahu alayhi
wasallam) said, “Whosoever removes adhaa (anything repulsive or harmful)
from the Masjid, Allah will make a house for him in Jannah.” (ibn
majah)

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam)
passed by a grave and asked his companions about it. His companions
replied it is the grave of Umm Muhjan. The Prophet (S) rebuked them
because they did not inform him of her death and then prayed the funeral
prayer over her.

He then said: ‘Why did you not inform
me?’ They replied- you were sleeping and we did not like to wake you’.
The Prophet prayed for her and had great respect for her as she used to
spend her efforts in cleaning the house of Allah and the Prophet’s
masjid.” (Related by Muslim)

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that a
black man (or a black woman) used to clean the mosque, and he died. The
Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) asked about him, and they said that
he had died. He said, “Why did you not tell me? Show me his grave.” (Or
he said, “her grave.”) So he went to her grave and offered the funeral
prayer for her. (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 458; Muslim, 956).

Ibn Hajar said in Fath al-Baari, “The
hadeeth indicates the virtue of cleaning the mosque, inquiring after
servants and after friends if they are absent.”

“Spitting in the Masjid is a sin and its
expiation is clean it.” When the prophet (S.A.W.) saw a spit in the
Masjid, he used to remove it with a stone. The companions of the prophet
(S.A.W.) used keep the Masjid clean. Imam Abu Dawod reported that
Abdullah bin Omar (R.A.) used to put perfume inside the Masjid when Omar
(R.A.) sat on the Minbar to deliver Friday speech.